Dear Cadillac – Enough With The ‘Green Hell’ Ads: Video

We get it: Cadillac wants the world to know that its new ATS compact sedan is as good as a BMW 3-Series sedan. We’ll reserve judgement until we actually get a chance to drive an ATS (preferably back-to-back with a comparable, 2012 BMW 3-Series), but we sincerely hope that Cadillac doesn’t pull a bait-and-switch on us. The 3-Series line includes a lot of different models, so if you’re emphasizing the “sport sedan” characteristics of the ATS, it’s only fair to throw down against the new 3-Series Sport Line, with the variable sport steering and the adaptive M suspension.

And while we’re complaining, enough with using the “Green Hell” Nürburgring Nordschleife reference in every single ad. That horse has been flogged to death; in fact, it’s been flogged to death, buried, dug up, flogged some more and then buried again. It’s clear: you tested the ATS on one of the world’s most challenging racetracks to fine-tune the suspension, chassis, throttle and brake settings. That should yield a sedan with impressive handling, but we won’t know until we drive one.

We’ve got some concerns about the 270-horsepower turbo four that Cadillac is using in the ATS, too. We’ve driven the engine in Buick Regal GS trim, and to be honest, it wasn’t that impressive. Granted, the ATS is a lighter car, and its rear-drive platform will certainly improve handling. Still, we can’t help but think that Cadillac is setting some unreasonable expectations of the new ATS before the car even hits the streets.

If it’s as good as you’re telling us, finding buyers won’t be a problem. If it isn’t, all the “Green Hell” references in the world won’t help to move inventory.

And Now, The Cadillac ATS Makes Its Debut: Video

After a six-month buildup, Cadillac unveiled the compact ATS sedan at the Detroit Auto Show. Dubbed by Mark Reuss, GM’s North American president, as, “the car to finally challenge the German cars at their own game and win,” the soon-to-be-launched ATS already has some big shoes to fill. To the car’s credit, GM is equipping it with a Magnetic Ride Control suspension (found on the CTS-V, the Corvette ZR1, the Camaro ZL1 and the Ferrari 458 Italia) and has done all it can to reduce weight, bringing the ATS is at under 3,400 pounds. Read more…

Cadillac (Finally) Shows Off The ATS Sedan: Video

Cadillac has been teasing its ATS compact sedan for the better part of six months. We’ve seen it in heavily camouflaged guise and even wearing just a mild disguise, and we know that it laps the ‘Ring in a reasonable amount of time. We also know that it will come chock full of the latest infotainment gadgetry, namely Cadillac’s CUE icon-based control system, displayed on an eight-inch touch screen. Read more…

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade Won’t Be So Easy To Steal

While the Cadillac Escalade has racked up plenty of awards (and legions of fans) since launch, one that doesn’t sit in the front of the trophy case is “Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicle.” The Escalade is a target for car thieves, thanks to its export value, its parts value and the truck’s bling factor. Cost saving measures from GM, like an easily-defeated plastic steering wheel lock, didn’t help matters any, either. Read more…

Touring Package Adds CTS-V Content To Cadillac CTS

Want to own a Cadillac CTS-V, but can’t afford its $70,000 starting price? Cadillac is adding a new Touring Package option to its CTS lineup, and it promises to deliver content usually reserved for the CTS-V at a much more affordable price. It’s available for both the 3.0-liter V-6 and 3.6-liter V-6 Cadillac CTS models, with a different price point and different levels of equipment. Read more…

The Cadillac ATS Tackles The Nürburgring Nordschleife: Video

Cadillac has released its third video from the new ATS’ German vacation, and this one shows the car in action on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. If you’re a fan of Gran Turismo 5 or Forza Motorsports, the video has some good tips on tackling the track in a mid-size, rear-drive car, so it’s worth watching just to lower your lap times. It’s also worth watching to get a sense for how much effort Cadillac is putting into the development of the ATS. Read more…

2013 Cadillac ATS To Get Three Engine Options

If you want more proof that Cadillac is serious about challenging the likes of BMW with its upcoming ATS sedan, here it is: the car will (initially) come with three engine options, including a 2.5-liter four cylinder that should serve as the base engine and will probably produce just short of 200 horsepower. Cadillac will offer a 3.6-liter V-6, too, probably pulled from the SRX crossover. In the 2012 SRX, the engine produces 308 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, which should prove to be sufficient to power a compact sedan. Read more…

2012 Cadillac SRX AWD Premium Review & Test Drive

The all-new 2012 Cadillac SRX crossover, entering into its 3^rd year, has grown into its sleek skin evolving from what was thought to be somewhat of an underachiever. The SRX has gone through an evolution for this year that has fine-tuned it in a way to shake off may negative preconceptions that it may have once had. The new 2012 Cadillac SRX is a class contender poised with the refinement, performance and luxury expected from the Cadillac brand.

Read more…